Alila Hinu Bay

Alila Hinu Bay is undeniably stunning—remote, peaceful, and beautifully designed. Rooms are spacious, the spa is excellent, and a few staff (notably Chef Ashwin) go out of their way to deliver five-star hospitality. Those touches show what this resort could be. But beneath the surface, the experience falls far short of Alila standards. Cleanliness was inconsistent—dirty trays and bottles left sitting for hours, even in the lobby. Staff were warm but lacked training and initiative: we waited nearly an hour for a simple dish in an empty restaurant, struggled to get basic service at breakfast despite being surrounded by idle staff, and saw little sense of leadership at reception. Most troubling, my wife’s sneakers were stolen from the spa. CCTV confirmed it, yet the manager’s response was defensive and transactional. He offered a free airport transfer, framing it as “equal value” to the shoes—missing the point entirely. The issue was never about the money, but about accountability and guest safety, which were both lacking. In short: the property is beautiful, but the service, cleanliness, and management don’t justify the rates. With proper training and leadership, this could be a world-class retreat. Until then, it’s style without substance.

Alila Hinu Bay felt like a little miracle in the middle of the desert. The design and location were stunning, and every detail seemed perfectly planned. The apartments felt very private, and having wildlife like camels, flamingos and cows around the hotel made the whole experience truly special. I hadn’t mentioned in advance that I have a milk protein allergy, yet the staff went above and beyond to take care of me. They prepared separate dishes for me at the buffet dinner, and the chef even came out to make sure my food was completely dairy‑free. By the second day, several staff members already remembered and helped me choose safe options at both breakfast and dinner. The spa was fantastic, and it was a real joy to use. We like to work out even when we travel, and both the gym and the spa (steam room, sauna and plunge pool) were much better than we expected. It would be nice if there were more photos of these facilities online, because we really didn’t know what to expect and were pleasantly surprised. Overall, our stay during Khareef Season was magical, and Alila Hinu Bay is a place we’ll always remember.

Location poor, 1 hour far from the city centre Salalah and the transportation costs Cleanliness is excellent Quietness very quiet and peaceful and relaxing, you feel as if you are alone in the resort Staff very helpful and friendly. The menu in the restaurants is limited Group Transportation limited.

Amazing resort with top notch customer service and overall facilities. We loved every minute at this property. Only regret was staying only 2 nights here and not more!

I have mixed feelings about this place. While the resort is large, it felt quite deserted, with vast areas of sand and very little greenery. Perhaps it was the wrong season to visit, but the place was almost empty, which made the atmosphere dull and uninviting. One major drawback is the location, it's extremely remote. Unless you're specifically looking to disconnect and be isolated, being an hour away from all main attractions makes it inconvenient, especially if you want to go out in the evenings. Breakfast was underwhelming, the buffet had limited options and felt poor in variety, although the à la carte menu was decent. They do offer daily activities, which are a nice touch, but unfortunately, they aren't well-promoted, so it's easy to miss out. On a positive note, the resort is spacious and incredibly relaxing. The rooms are large, beautifully designed, and very comfortable, I especially loved the private terrace we had. Most importantly, the staff were exceptionally friendly, helpful, and welcoming. I also had an amazing massage at their spa, which I highly recommend. The food at the restaurant was quite good as well.